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Choo irked by high-and-tight pitch from Corbin

Choo irked by high-and-tight pitch from Corbin

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Shin-Soo Choo talks with home-plate umpire Jerry Meals about a pitch that came close to his head on Aug. 20, 2013.

By Mark Sheldon and Jeremy Warnemuende
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MLB.com |

CINCINNATI -- Reds center fielder Shin-Soo Choo has been hit by a pitch 23 times this season, one shy of the club record. Choo has also been pitched tight and inside countless times as well, and has never showed even the slightest of disdain toward pitchers about it.

That changed in the sixth inning of Tuesday's 5-2 Reds loss to the Dbacks. On a 1-1 pitch, Arizona lefty Patrick Corbin threw a fastball up and in near Choo's head. Choo had words for Corbin, catcher Wil Nieves and home-plate umpire Jerry Meals.

"I've never said something to a pitcher or a catcher. But last night, it was close to the head. That's a different story," Choo said on Wednesday. "I was protecting myself. If he hit me on purpose or missed below the head, in the back, I don't care. I'll go to first base. But when it's close to the head, it's a different story. I was sensitive last night and protected myself."

Choo struck out in the at-bat during an 0-for-4 night as Corbin tossed a complete game. He didn't believe it was a purpose pitch that buzzed him.

"He said 'I didn't try to hit you,'" Choo said of Corbin. "The catcher said that it wasn't on purpose. I said I don't care. I know he's not trying to hit me. I don't care when it's close to the head."

Mark Sheldon is a reporter for MLB.com. Read his blog, Mark My Word, and follow him on Twitter @m_sheldon. Jeremy Warnemuende is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.